The no.1 ranked nation couldn’t get the better of the in-form Italians, who are yet to concede from open play in the tournament.
Italy presented themselves as Spain‘s opponents in Euro 2020 semi-finals after beating Belgium 2-1 at the Allianz Arena.
Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne netted delightful goals before Romelu Lukaku pulled one back for Belgium moments before the referee blew for half-time, with all the goals coming in a space of about 15 minutes.
Barella skipped past three defenders before burying his shot into the bottom, punishing the opposition for losing possession on the edge of the penalty area.
The Italians doubled their lead in style as Insigne unleashed a powerful right-footed rocket that escaped past a fully outstretched Thibaut Courtois and curled into the net.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo shoved Jeremy Doku in the back inside the penalty area, with Lukaku converting the resulting penalty to end Italy’s clean sheet streak.
Belgium vs Italy Player Ratings
Belgium: Courtois – 6, Alderweireld – 6, Vermaelen – 6, Vertonghen – 5, Meunier – 6, Tielemans – 6, Witsel – 7, Hazard – 6, De Bruyne – 7, Doku – 8, Lukaku – 7, Chadli – 5, Mertens – 6, Praet – 6
Italy: Donnarumma – 7, Di Lorenzo – 7, Bonucci – 8, Chiellini – 7, Spinazzola – 8, Jorginho – 8, Barella – 8, Verratti – 7, Chiesa – 8, Immobile – 5, Insigne – 8, Cristante – 6, Belotti – 6, Palmieri – 6, Berardi – 6, Toloi – 6
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